• The symptoms of withdrawal include: insomnia, vomiting, sweating, instability and inability to sleep, in addition to an elevation in heart pulse, temperature and blood pressure, as well as depression and suicide attempt.
• The withdrawal therapy aims (detoxification) to help the addict avoid taking the drug as fast and safely as possible. Detoxification may involve:
a. Gradually reducing the dose of the drug.
b. Temporally substituting other substances, such as methadone, that have less severe side effects.
c. For some people, it may be safe to undergo withdrawal therapy on an outpatient basis; others may require admission to a hospital or a residential treatment center (Rivera, N. 2006).